La clemenza di Tito

Jane Glover, Conductor
Christopher Alden, Director

For many, the idea of attending an opera can be a bit intimidating.  But, if you’re new to opera, La clemenza di Tito, Mozart's penultimate work, is just the ticket you need!  Staged at the Harris Center for Music and Dance, the Chicago Opera Theatre could have been ostentatious with set design and costumes.  However, COT’s minimalist approach to both makes it easy to focus on the core of this opera – the beautiful vocals and music!

This production of La clemenza di Tito is at times irreverent and playful – it does not take itself too seriously.  What is taken seriously, however, are the vocal and musical performances.  Tito, portrayed by Dominic Armstrong, through rich vocals, conveys the moral conflict between ruling absolutely and ruling with compassion.  Even to a novice, the superb skills and vocal dexterity of Amanda Majeski (as Vitellia) and Renata Pokupic (as Sesto) are apparent.  While it would be easy (and worth the price of admission) to close your eyes and just enjoy the music, you will find the story and performances too compelling to miss a moment of the action!

As it is helpful to understand a bit of the storyline in advance, here a brief synopsis:

Vitellia, whose father was kicked out of office (Emperor of Rome), is pissed with Tito (the current Emperor), who gives Vitellia no love, but has his eye on Berenice (the daughter of the King of Judea).  Vitellia tries to convince Sesto (whose nose is wide open for Vitellia) to kill Tito.  Sesto hesitates, but, eventually caves in despite his unrequited love for Vitellia.  Meanwhile, Sesto's bud, Annio, is in love with Sesto's sister, Servilia, and begs Sesto to get Tito's blessing of his marriage to Servilia.  Before Sesto has a chance to do so, Tito changes his mind about Berenice.  Thinking she might still be able to work her way in, Vitellia tells Sesto, hold up - wait a minute on the murder.  But, Tito's next pick is: Servilia!  Now Vitellia is really pissed and puts Sesto back on the hit job.  Annio tells Servilia that it's been a nice run, but their gig is up because Tito wants her.  Servilia tells Tito - unh-unh, no way, Emperor or not, I love Annio.  Tito says - that's pretty cool that you can just be straight with and stand up to me like that! Go and enjoy your life with and marriage to Annio – with my blessing.  Tito's third pick:  Vitellia!  Sloppy thirds don't matter a bit to Vitellia, but, she gets the news too late to stop Sesto from undertaking his deed.

Obviously, there are twists and turns and the whole thing is sung in Italian with English subtitles.  So, if you're not already familiar with La clemenza di Tito, you should really take advantage of the pre-performance lecture that takes place an hour prior to each performance.  Finally, read all about it with the guidance of the resources provided at the Chicago Opera Theater's website!

Stephanie!
Comments?  E-mail me at Soleil@so-LAZE.com

La clemenza di Tito continues on April 29 and May 1, 2009.  Photos by Liz Lauren.